The Tippie MBA Career Guide
This handbook provides a framework for increasing your understanding of how to manage your career and the steps and preparation associated with the process. (This is more from the U.S. perspective currently.)
MBA Career Services
Pursuing your MBA is about investing in and managing your career. The University of Iowa MBA Career Services team is excited to provide you with a number of career development resources to help as you begin to pursue MBA-level opportunities. The various resources are listed below.
Tools for Resume and Cover Letter Writing
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Professional MBA Resume Template: A one-page resume template with a focus on experience. Can be adapted to any professional background. Download: Template |
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Cover letter sample: Can be adapted to accompany a resume, letter of inquiry, or professional portfolio. Download: Sample |
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Resume Sample – Reverse Chronological/Traditional (1 page and 2 page formats): Sample resume including an overview of education, experience, and skills. Professionals with less than 8 years of experience should aim for one page; those with 8+ years can expand to two pages. Download: 1-page Format | 2-page Format |
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Resume Sample – Functional Resume: Groups skill sets into categories. Best for candidates transitioning from one field to another or re-entering the workplace after a gap in employment. Download: Sample |
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Curriculum Vitae (CV) Sample: Best for professional experience focused on education, research, and related academic activities. Commonly used outside the U.S. Download: Sample |
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Power Verb List: Use this extensive list to build powerful and effective resume bullet points. Download: List |
MBAFocus Online Recruiting System
MBAFocus is an important part of your toolkit for career management and includes various job search tools including:
- GoingGlobal – A comprehensive, subscription-based job search website site, specific to MBAFocus.
- Interview Stream – Multimedia interviewing preparation tool; record and critique your interviewing abilities.
- Career Shift – Streamline and manage your job search in a systematic way.
First-time users need to contact us to activate your MBAFocus account. Email mba-career-services@uiowa.edu with your request.
Beyond B-School Tutorials
This tool provides useful tutorials on LinkedIn profile writing, building your brand, and more. Click for instant access.
Career Coaching, Resume Review, Interview Preparation
Resume Review Process
If you have interest in having your resume reviewed by one of the Career Services coaches, please email mba-career-services@uiowa.edu. They will review it and comment on ways to strengthen your US-based resume. Please see the resume templates above and start by using the guidelines described under the tools section.
Career Services professionals are best suited to discuss hiring practices in the US and cannot give advice regarding VISA or work authorization requirements.
Career Leader Assessment
The Career Leader assessment identifies strengths and areas for opportunity, so you know what to emphasize and where to focus your efforts for improvement. Pointing out what you do better than the competition will help to set you apart from the rest. Email mba-career-services@uiowa.edu to determine if this assessment would be helpful for you.
Webinars
Discover content from our webinars:
Leveraging Your MBA: Move On or Move Up: Learn the strategies for managing your career, be proactive (rather than reactive) in your strategic plan, and leave the session being able to answer the question, “What will you do with that MBA once you graduate?”
Using Your Brand for Strategic Success– Focuses on the knowledge of your value proposition. Take a look at your personal brand and find out what makes you unique. Join us to discover how to create a brand, manage your brand, update it, and utilize it in your current role.Go beyond MBA-specific events to network and expand your perspective.
Strategic Networking– Every good marketer knows her or his customer. The same holds true for networking: it’s all about the other person. Learn how to apply the 5 Marketing P’s to Successful Networking, the strategy behind planning for successful networking events and how to utilize the strength of your personality.
Putting It All Together– In a December 2014 LinkedIn article, Todd Palmer reveals that 85% of jobs are not posted.This revelation is in line with earlier studies, which means that someone in your network could ask you for a cover letter and resume tomorrow for a job that is a perfect fit. Are you ready? When was the last time you updated your MBA resume? Does your LinkedIn Profile reflect your brand accurately? Do you know the etiquette of email cover letters? Watch this webinar to learn how to update your marketing materials for potential offers, performance reviews, and networking conversations.